Ridgecrest released its schedule for its upcoming budget workshops and hearings, setting the dates for what is expected to be the meat of the budget hearings.

On Thursday, April 25 from 6-9 p.m., department heads from Public Works, Public Services and Administration will all give budget presentations and recommendations for the 2013-2014 fiscal year.

Saturday, April 27 will include a day-long session from 9 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Department heads from Finance and Ridgecrest Police Department will present their recommendations to the council during the morning session, while Parks and Recreation will present its own data in the afternoon.

Ridgecrest faces at least a $1 million shortfall in its FY 2014 budget, and has recommended each department head prepare its own budget accordingly.

The city council has already made midyear cuts during its Dec. 19, 2012 meeting to account for a shortfall for the current-year budget after revenues came in lower than expected. A slimmer budget is unavoidable in the next year.

During the March 11 budget strategy meeting, the council also made it clear that cuts will not be fair for all departments and hard decisions would need to be made.

However, Interim City Manager Dennis Speer set a goal to streamline the budget format and make it easier to comprehend.

Speer had also promised to make the attempt to do away with most of the internal service funds and recommend funding the city's highest priority services first.

Parks and Recreation itself has been asked to trim $200,000 from its FY 2014 budget, something its director, Jim Ponek, has already presented several options at both council and committee meetings in the past.

Both the Thursday and Saturday budget hearings will take place at Ridgecrest City Hall in the Council Chambers.